The State says it is looking to add money laundering to the list of charges facing three Gauteng men accused of luring men via a dating app before robbing them.

Mlungisi Vincent Mbutu, Bongani Zulu and Zwelakhe Ngwenya returned to the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court nearly three months after their last appearance, facing kidnapping, extortion, robbery with aggravating circumstances and cybercrime-related charges.

They were arrested by the Hawks in Woodstock at a rental home where a hostage was found tied up.

This led to more alleged victims coming forward, with three incidents reported in the CBD including Camps Bay, one in Durbanville and one in Brackenfell.

According to authorities, the same modus operandi has been used.

State prosecutor Luzaan Williams told the court on Tuesday they were working towards additional charges of money laundering.

She said new information from bank statements has now prompted further investigation.

“We are looking at more than 25 money laundering cases when money was transferred from the victims. Now in that section 205 application, we are currently awaiting the outcome from the banks. The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) is also helping us to ensure that all the banks including FNB, Capitec, ABSA and TymeBank work with us in this matter as it is also an issue that can possibly help the country with facts as it hopes to come off the greylist which will benefit the economy. So everyone has their hands on this,” said Williams.

The global financial crime watchdog FATF greylisted South Africa in February 2023 for not complying with international standards around the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing among others.

Williams requested the matter be remanded for at least three months as there were close to 30 Know Your Customer (KYC) documents and banking records that investigators required which would allegedly show money transferred by the accused while they kept victims captive.

“For example, from just one complainant, money was sent to 17 bank account holders. We first assumed the transfers were made to one bank account but when the investigation dug deeper, banking statements show that monies were paid to various bank accounts. This will then assist with the money laundering charges we plan to add,” said Williams.

The accused’s lawyer, Nceba Jack said the court must consider that they afforded the State time for their investigation, however his clients wanted bail.

Bail proceedings are expected to be heard on Friday.

The State indicated it will oppose bail.

Cape Times

Anda Manyaki

Online dating app suspects could face more charges